Ahead of the International Yoga Day on June 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought the support of all Union ministers and department heads to make yoga a “mass movement” for better physical and mental well being.

In a letter to all the ministers, Modi said the International Day of Yoga was a way of making yoga an integral part of our lives.

“The International Day of Yoga is not simply an event. It is a way of making yoga an integral part of our lives. It is a means of popularising yoga among the masses, across social strata, in different age groups so that we can enhance our mental and physical well being. It is towards this end that I solicit your support,” he said in the letter.

“It has been decided to take forward the momentum generated last year with greater and more active participation of all sections of the society, particularly the youth,” the letter said.

The national event of mass yoga demonstration will be held in Chandigarh on June 21. Similar events will also be held across the nation and the world.

“All our efforts should be made to make it a people’s programme by highlighting the benefits of yoga for better physical and mental health and social harmony,” the Prime Minister said in the letter.

The Ministry of AYUSH has designed a common yoga protocol for this event. Modi also enclosed with this letter, a booklet and a DVD on this protocol.

He said that along with the mass yoga demonstration at Chandigarh, the Centre aims to organise similar demonstrations at the state, district, block and panchayat levels and each state has been requested to plan its activities in tandem with the national effort.

“The state governments have also been requested to encourage the use of locally made yoga mats and apparel, preferably with locally available raw-material to provide employment oppoprtunities to local artisans and small entrepreneurs. Special effors would be made to involve persons with disabilities in all the celebrations.

“I request you to provide your support to make yoga a mass movement so that this great heritage can benefit all of us,” Modi said.